Methods and apparatus for treatment of luer connectors

ABSTRACT

Devices, methods, and systems for a luer connector treatment device are described herein. The luer connector treatment device may include one or multiple sources of UV radiation configured to emit UV radiation capable of sterilizing the contents of a treatment chamber while a first medical device (e.g., catheter) is connected to a secondary medical device, and while the first medical device is separate from a secondary medical device. Sources of UV radiation may be located along both a cap and body of the luer connector treatment device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/484,477, filed Apr. 11, 2017, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of ultravioletirradiation systems as used in treatment devices. An exemplaryembodiment add-on or integrated treatment devices.

BACKGROUND

Globally, hospital acquired infections pose a major burden to patients.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),hospital acquired infections affect about one in twenty-one patients.Accounting for over 250,000 cases annually, catheter-related bloodstreaminfections (CRBSIs) are one of the most common hospital acquiredinfections. CRBSIs can lead to bacteremia and septicemia in hospitalizedpatients. Notably, septicemia, which is a systemic response to thepresence of bacteria in the bloodstream, poses a serious health hazardto patients and is associated with a mortality rate of up to 30%.Dealing with the sequelae of bloodstream infections such as septicemiais a major financial burden to the healthcare system and is believed tocost at least $7 billion every year.

The primary source of CRBSIs is thought to be microflora colonization onthe catheter hub and subsequent ingress of the microflora into thecatheter lumen. Indeed, microflora colonization is believed to accountfor 54% of all CRBSIs. The catheter hub, the site at which fluids anddrugs are injected into the bloodstream, is a common source forinfection because it is frequently handled and manipulated by healthcarepersonnel and in close proximity to a patient's skin and/or clothing aswell as the exogenous hospital environment that is often ridden withmicrobes. Typically, the catheter hub contains a luer connection system.

In an effort to reduce the impact of CRBSIs, the CDC has issuedguidelines that describe various ways to minimize bloodstream infectionrates in hospital, outpatient, and home care settings. The guidelinesprovide protocols for hand hygiene, catheter site care, and admixturepreparation, that when followed, are expected to reduce the number ofCRBSIs. However, despite these CDC guidelines and attempts to educatehealthcare personnel on the correct procedure to disinfect the catheterhub and luer connectors, infections continue to plague healthcaresystems at relatively unchanged rates. In fact, a gap analysis studyidentified inadequate catheter maintenance as the main cause of CRBSIs.Specifically, health care providers were not consistently scrubbing thehub with alcohol for the required 15 seconds before accessing the line.Accordingly, there is a need for more robust systems and methods fortreating luer connectors that is immune to human error andinconsistencies.

The prior art describes a variety of systems and devices to treat theluer connectors and prevent downstream CRBSIs. One method for preventingdownstream CRBSIs utilizes an antibiotic. For example, once a catheteris suspected of infection due to a patient displaying symptoms likeinflammation and redness at the site of insertion, first-line therapywith locally administered intraluminal antibiotics such as ethanol orantibiotic lock therapy may be used. While not routinely utilized forthe prophylaxis of infections, the guidelines from the InfectiousDiseases Society of America encourage the use of antibiotic locksolutions with vancomycin, gentamicin, cefazolin, or ethanol as atherapeutic option for intraluminal infections when the catheter isdifficult to remove. The use of an antibiotic lock solution is appealingfor localized infections because it is easy to use and associated withlow costs and minimal systemic side effects if the catheter remainsclosed. Generally, antibiotics are recommended in a short-term regimenof 7 to 14 days. The main disadvantage with antibiotic locks is theincreased risk of bacterial resistance. Specifically, biofilm-formingspecies like Staphylococcus have been shown to become resistant tomethicillin and vancomycin. Accordingly, there is a need for methods andsystems for treating a luer connectors that are prophylactic and do notcontribute to bacterial resistance.

Another method for treating the luer connectors and preventing CRBSIs isthe use of ethanol caps. For example, 3M™ Curos™ Disinfecting PortProtectors use 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA). In particular, these portprotectors contain 70% IPA that bathes the surface of the luer connectorwhen the luer engages with the port protector. The port protectorsdisinfect the surface of the luer connector after 1 minute of contact.Notably, the Curos™ Disinfecting Port Protectors can only maintainsterility when the hub is not in use. When the cap is removed to injectfluids or drugs into the catheter, the sterile environment iscontaminated.

Similar to the mechanism utilized by 3M™ Curos™ Disinfecting PortProtectors, ICU Medical's SwabCap® also utilizes a 70% IPA solution. Inparticular, the SwabCap® includes a 70% IPA Sponge that bathes thethreads and top connectors of the luer for needlefree connectors oncatheters. Additionally, the SwabCap® includes a thread cover designthat is configured to disinfect the connector surface and threads of thecatheter. Like, 3M™ Curos™ Disinfecting Port Protectors, SwabCap® alsofails to disinfect the luer connector when it is in use. For example,incoming bacteria from a syringe or needleless connector cannot beeradicated by the mechanism used by SwabCap®. Moreover, as the SwabCap®only disinfects the top surface of the needle free connector's threads,other portions of the hub such as the intraluminal surfaces remainvulnerable to contamination.

Accordingly, there is a need for methods and systems for treating a luerconnector that provide treatment to the luer connector, even while a capfor the catheter hub is removed and/or a syringe, needleless connectoror the like is attached to the catheter hub.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the disclosed luer connector treatmentdevice, systems and methods provide more robust systems and methods fortreating luer connectors in a manner that reduces the likelihood ofhuman error. An exemplary embodiment of the device provides methods andsystems for treating a luer connector that applies treatment to the luerconnector, including when a cap for the catheter hub is removed and/or asyringe, needleless connector, or the like is attached to the catheterhub. Additionally, the device intends to minimize its contributionstowards bacterial resistance and may be used prophylactically.

In one exemplary embodiment, a luer connector treatment device includesa first housing component and a second housing component. The secondhousing component may be reversibly coupled to the first housingcomponent and may include a treatment chamber including at least twoluer connectors. At least one of the first housing component and thesecond housing component has at least one source of ultraviolet (UV)radiation. The at least one source of UV radiation of the first housingcomponent may be configured to emit UV radiation into the treatmentchamber when the first housing component is engaged with the secondhousing component. Additionally, the at least one source of UV radiationof the second housing component may be configured to emit UV radiationinto the treatment chamber when the first housing component is eitherengaged with or disengaged from the second housing component.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of treating a luer connectorincludes providing a luer connector treatment device further comprisinga first housing component and a second housing component, the firsthousing component having at least one source of UV radiation, and thesecond housing component having at least one source of UV radiation anda treatment chamber including at least two luer connectors, wherein thefirst housing component is reversibly coupled to the second housingcomponent. The method also includes engaging a first medical device withone of the at least two luer connectors, disengaging the first housingcomponent from the second housing component, engaging a second medicaldevice with at least one remaining luer of the at least two luerconnectors to form a fluidic channel between the first medical deviceand the second medical device, treating the treatment chamber while thefirst housing component is disengaged from the second housing componentby applying UV radiation to the treatment chamber by way of the at leastone source of UV radiation on the second housing component, disengagingthe second medical device from the at least one remaining luer of the atleast two luer connectors, engaging the first housing component to thesecond housing component and treating the treatment chamber while thefirst housing component is engaged with the second housing component byapplying UV radiation to the treatment chamber by way of the at leastone source of UV radiation on the first housing component and/or the atleast one source of UV radiation on the second housing component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thisspecification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and togetherwith the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of thedevice.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a second exemplary embodimentof the device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second housingcomponent depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the secondary housingcomponent depicted in FIGS. 2-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the secondary housingcomponent depicted in FIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom perspective view of a secondary housingcomponent of another alternative exemplary embodiment of the device.

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the secondary housingcomponent depicted in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C illustrates a top perspective view of the secondary housingcomponent depicted in FIGS. 6A-6B.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the first housing componentdepicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of an embodiment of the luer connectortreatment device.

FIG. 9 illustrates results from an experimental setup used in connectionwith the luer connector treatment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods and devicesrelated to a luer connector treatment device. As will be discussed infurther detail below, advantageously, the disclosed device may beintegrated with standardized luer connections, is compliant with currentmedical procedures, is easy to use, requires little to no dailymaintenance by healthcare personnel, can withstand the pressures ofblood infusion, drug or fluid infusion, and clot busting, may beadherent with FDA regulations surrounding catheter devices, iscompatible with clinically acceptable treatment methods, is non-toxicand biocompatible, does not enhance the risk of bacterial resistance andwill not interfere with existing drug delivery mechanisms.

FIG. 1 illustrates a luer connector treatment device 100 having a firsthousing component, which may be a cap 101. In one embodiment, the cap101 may include the at least one source of UV radiation. The luerconnector treatment device 100 may also have a second housing component,a body 103 that includes a treatment chamber 123 and the at least onesource of UV radiation. In the embodiment of the luer connectortreatment device 100 depicted in FIG. 1, the cap 101 and body 103 areconfigured to emit UV radiation to treat contents of the treatmentchamber 123. Contents of the treatment chamber 123 may include areassurrounding the at least two luer connectors 113 and 111, in between theat least two luer connectors, and surrounding junction points where theluer connector treatment device 100 forms a connection with othermedical devices such as a catheter hub. As depicted, the body 103 mayhave a first end 115 proximate the catheter and a second end 125proximate the cap 101. As illustrated, in one embodiment the body 103may have a substantially rectangular prism shape with rounded edges andsurround a cylindrical treatment chamber 123 having an axis A. In theillustrated embodiment, the cap 101 also has a substantially rectangularprism shape with a cylindrical opening such that the cap 101 may be usedto cover the cylindrical treatment chamber 123. Although a substantiallyrectangular prism shape and cylindrical shape is illustrated in FIG. 1,it is contemplated that any shapes that allow for a catheter to connectto a syringe or other medical device may be used for each of the body103, cap 101, and treatment chamber 123. In one embodiment, the shape ofthe body 103 and cap 101 may be designed with smooth surfaces so as toprovide additional comfort to the user and prevent the adherence ofbacteria along or inside the body 103 or cap 101.

In one embodiment, the body 103 may contain one or more apertures 117configured to hold the at least one source of UV radiation 119. The oneor more apertures 117 may be positioned about or near the peripheral ofthe treatment chamber 123 and the at least one source of UV radiation119 may be embedded within the aperture 117. Similarly, the cap 101 maycontain one or more apertures 107 also configured to hold one or moresources of UV radiation. Additionally the cap 101 may include additionalapertures 109 configured to hold electrical wires and/or cables thatconnect the cap 101 and the body 103. In one embodiment, the one or moreapertures 107 may be positioned within the cap 101 such that the sourcesof UV radiation emit radiation into the treatment chamber 123 of thebody 103 in a generally downwards direction along an axis A. UVradiation emitted from the at least one source of UV radiation containedwithin the apertures 107, 117 may be configured to cover the interiorvolume of the treatment chamber 123 including the contents of thetreatment chamber 123. The apertures 107, 117 may be shaped so as toconform to the shape of the respective source of UV radiation heldwithin it. In one embodiment, the sources of UV radiation 119 may belocated in a substantially circular aperture, and wires, PCB boards,and/or leads associated with the source of UV radiation may extend alongthe body 103 or be contained within other apertures 117.

The treatment chamber may include one or more luer connectors. In oneembodiment, standardized luer connectors may be used. Standardized luerconnectors are commonly used for the fluid-tight connections of medicalapparatus and instruments. Standardized luer connectors are typicallyconical in shape with a six percent (6%) gradient. The use ofstandardized luer connectors may be advantageous as it allows the luerconnector treatment device to be compatible with existing medicaldevices and techniques used by healthcare personnel.

In one embodiment, the treatment chamber 123 includes a male luerconnector 113 having protruding threads, and a female luer connector 111having a surface with threads configured to engage with that on anyexternal male luer connectors. In such an embodiment, the male luerconnector 113 may be configured to engage with a catheter, and thefemale luer connector 111 with a secondary medical device. Cathetersthat may be used with the disclosed luer connector treatment deviceinclude (but are not limited to) central venous catheters, gastrostomycatheters, cardiovascular catheters, lung catheters, urinary cathetersand the like. Secondary medical devices include a medical syringe,hemodialysis machine, IV drip, drug infusers, blood samplers, needleports, Y-adapters, flow adjustment valves, drip indicators, fluid bagsand the like.

A fluidic channel may be formed between the male luer connector 113 andthe female luer connector 111 within the treatment chamber 123 such thatfluid may flow between the catheter and the secondary medical deviceattached to each of the respective luer connectors. The fluidic channelmay provide a low-resistance, bi-directional fluid path into and out ofthe patient's body. The fluidic channel may be configured such thatremoval of the secondary medical device from the luer connectortreatment device 100 by detaching the secondary medical device from thefemale luer connector 111 will end fluid flow between the catheter andany secondary medical device. Additionally, the luer connectors of theluer connector treatment device 100 may be configured to preventbackflow of fluid when an external luer connector (belonging to thecatheter or secondary medical device) is disengaged from itscomplementary luer connector in the luer connector treatment device asis depicted in FIG. 6.

In one embodiment, one or more of the luer connectors and/or componentsof the treatment chamber may be composed of transparent material suchthat UV radiation is able to be applied through the luer connectors intothe interior of the treatment chamber 123. For example, each of the luerconnectors may be composed of any combination of transparentpolycarbonate material, transparent acrylic, 4-methylpentene-1 basedpolyolefin (TPX), fused silica, calcium fluoride, and the like. Each ofthe sources of UV radiation present in the first housing component orcap 101 and the second housing component or body 103 may be anultraviolet light source such as a UV light emitting diode (LED),mercury vapor lamp, a xenon flash lamp, a continuous arc lamp, a UVlaser, or any other UV light emitting device. Each of the sources of UVradiation may emit a narrow spectrum light or broad spectrum light suchas UV-A (315-400 nm wavelength), UV-B (280-315 nm wavelength), UV-C(100-280 nm wavelength), and the like. The ultraviolet light emitted bythe UV source may be germicidal, or a substance or agent that destroysharmful microorganisms such as the microflora colonization believed toaccount for a majority of CRBSIs. As will be discussed further in theExample, one exemplary embodiment of the luer connector treatment devicemay use UV-C light to effectively destroy 99.9% of bacteria.

Radiation (i.e., UV light) emitted from the sources of UV radiation maybe emitted in a continuous or discrete manner. For example, UV lightemitted from the sources of UV radiation may be generated in flashesand/or pulses that emit disinfecting light targeted towards the interiorsurfaces of the treatment chamber 123. The energy of a single flash orpulse may be sufficient to deliver a sterilizing or disinfecting dosage,e.g., approximately 40 mJ/cm² of UVC, to the surfaces of the treatmentchamber 123. In one embodiment, each of the UV radiation sourcescontained within the second housing component or body 103 emits light inan area encompassing an approximately one hundred and twenty (120)degree arc from the UV radiation source. In one embodiment, each of theUV radiation sources in the second housing component or body 103 emitslight in a direction generally radial to the axis A. In one embodiment,each of the UV radiation sources 107 in the first housing component orcap 101 emits light in a direction along the axis A into the treatmentchamber 123.

The first housing component or cap 101 may have a first end 129 spacedapart from a second end 127 that is configured to reversibly couple withthe second end 125 of the second housing component or body 103. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the first housing component or cap 101has a protruding element 105 that is configured to engage with areceiving element 131 located on the second housing component or body103. For example, the receiving element 131 may include a grooveconfigured to receive the protruding element 105. Alternate attachmentmeans may be used. In one embodiment, the first housing component or cap101 may align with the second housing component or body 103 along acentral axis A.

It is envisioned that a locking mechanism may be used in connection withthe first housing component or cap 101 and second housing component orbody 103 so as to keep the first housing component or cap 101 and secondhousing component or body 103 engaged with each other.

In one embodiment, parts of the first housing component or cap 101 andsecond housing component or body 103 may be composed of one or morematerials including acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylenimine (PEI),polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), and thelike. The luer connectors and/or housing components may be composed ofone or more of transparent polycarbonate material, transparent acrylic,4-methylpentene-1 based polyolefin, fused silica, calcium fluoride, andthe like. The materials for the construction of the first housingcomponent or cap 101 and second housing component or body 103 may bechosen so that transmittance of UV radiation to the external environmentis minimized. Furthermore, the materials for the construction of thefirst housing component or cap 101 and second housing component or body103 may be chosen for stability after exposure to UV-C and chemicals ordrugs typically introduced in catheter systems and for resistance todegradation. The materials for the first housing component or cap 101and second housing component or body 103 may also be chosen so that thefirst housing component or cap 101 and second housing component or body103 are capable of being manufactured by injection molding,thermoforming, compression molding, 3D printing, and the like.

In one embodiment, the luer connector treatment device 100 describedherein may be constructed from low-cost material such that the device isdisposable. Alternatively, the luer connector treatment device 100 maybe constructed from materials that allow it to be reused and repeatedlysterilized by means such as autoclaving, gamma irradiation and the like.The materials chosen for the construction of the luer connectortreatment device 100 may be designed such that the device does not needto be replaced or removed for the duration of the catheter in thepatient's body.

In one embodiment, the at least one source of UV radiation embeddedwithin the first housing component or cap 101 may be configured to emitUV radiation into the treatment chamber 123 only when the first housingcomponent or cap 101 is engaged with the second housing component orbody 103. Alternatively, the at least one source of UV radiationembedded within the first housing component or cap 101 may be configuredto emit UV radiation into the treatment chamber 123 when the firsthousing component or cap 101 is disengaged with the second housingcomponent or body 103. In one embodiment, the at least one source of UVradiation of the second housing component or body 103 may be configuredto emit UV radiation into the treatment chamber when the first housingcomponent or cap 101 is engaged with the second housing component orbody 103 or when the first housing component or cap 101 is disengagedwith the second housing component or body 103. In this manner, UVradiation may be used to treat the luer connector while the catheter isused (i.e., fluid is being pushed into or out of the catheter), and/orthe catheter is engaged with a secondary medical device. Alternatively,in some embodiments, the UV radiation may not be applied while thecatheter is being used (i.e., fluid is pushed into or out of thecatheter).

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a luer connector treatmentdevice 200 having similar components to those described above withrespect to the luer connector treatment device 100 depicted in FIG. 1.The luer connector treatment device 200 includes a first housingcomponent or cap 201 having a first end 229 spaced apart from a secondend 227 that is configured to engage with a second housing component orbody 203. The first housing component or cap 201 may have one or moreapertures 209 configured to hold one or more sources of UV radiation207.

The first housing component or cap 201 may also include one or moreprotrusions 205 that are configured to engage with the one or more slots231 on the second housing component or body 203 of the cathetertreatment device 200. In one embodiment, the first housing component orcap 201 may engage with the second housing component or body 203 in atwist and lock mechanism. In particular, as depicted, the slots 231 maycontain hooks that are the inverse shape of the protrusions 205 on thecap 201. The first housing component or cap 201 may engage with thesecond housing component or body 203 by bringing the first housingcomponent or cap 201 into contact with the second housing component orbody 203 in a manner that aligns the two components on axis A, andtwisting one of the housing components with respect to the other untilthe protrusions 205 engage with the hooks in the slots 231. Alternatemechanisms for engaging the first housing component or cap 201 to thesecond housing component or body 203 may be used. In one embodiment, thefirst housing component or cap 201 may be tethered or secured to thesecond housing component or body 203 by a cable 221 or other means. Thecable 221 may be flexible and hollow. Alternate means to couple thefirst housing component or cap 201 to the second housing component orbody 203 may be used.

The second housing component or body 203 of the luer connector treatmentdevice 200 may include a treatment chamber 223 having a female luerconnector 211 spaced apart from a male luer connector 213. The male luerconnector 213 may be located proximate the first end 215 of the secondhousing component or body 203 that is configured to engage with acatheter. The female luer connector 211 may be located proximate thesecond end 225 of the body 203 that is configured to engage with asecondary medical device. A fluidic channel (as described above) may beformed between the two luer connectors. The second housing component orbody 203 of the luer connector treatment device 200 may include one ormore apertures 217, each configured to hold sources of UV radiation 219.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second housingcomponent or body 203 depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a bottomperspective view of the second housing component or body 203 depicted inFIGS. 2-3. FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of the secondhousing component or body 203 depicted in FIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 6A illustrates a first perspective view of a second housingcomponent or body 203 of another exemplary embodiment of the luerconnector treatment device. FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional viewof the second housing component or body 203 depicted in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6Cillustrates a second perspective view of the second housing component orbody 203 depicted in FIGS. 6A-6B.

The depicted embodiment includes additional components 224 configured toprevent the backflow of fluids. For example, the treatment chamber mayinclude a first portion having an inner diameter smaller than that of asecond portion. The first portion may be hollow. An additional component224 having a diameter approximately equivalent to that of the firstportion may be situated in the first portion of the treatment chambersuch that the treatment chamber is occluded and fluid flow is preventedfrom the first portion to the second portion of the treatment chamberand from the second portion to the first portion of the treatmentchamber. When a secondary medical device such as a syringe engages withthe at least one luer connector 211 of the second housing component orbody 203, the external medical device may cause the additional component224 to lower into the broader second portion of the treatment chamberand allow fluid to flow from the catheter to the syringe or the syringeto the catheter.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the first housing component 201depicted in FIG. 2.

Steps of a process associated with a specific embodiment are depicted inFIG. 8. In a first step 901, a first medical device (catheter) 905 isattached to the luer connector treatment device having a first housingcomponent or cap 907 and second housing component or body 909. In asecond step 902, the first housing component or cap 907 is removed ordisengaged from the second housing component or body 909. In a thirdstep 903, a second medical device (syringe) 911 is attached to the luerconnector treatment device. The second medical device 911 may beattached to the luer connector treatment device by being screwed on,pierced, or any alternate means of attaching to one or more luerconnectors within the treatment chamber. The second medical device 911may then be used in accordance with its normal function to withdrawblood and/or deliver medical treatments, as is depicted in a fourth step904. During at least one of steps one 901 to four 904, UV radiation maybe applied to the contents of the treatment chamber that is locatedwithin the second housing component or body 909 by way of one or moresources of UV radiation present in accordance with the structure,methods and systems described above.

Different combinations of UV sources may be configured to turn on forthe duration of each step to ensure safety and optimize UV delivery tosurfaces of the treatment chamber. For example, the at least one sourceof UV in the first housing component or cap 907 may be turned off whileany UV sources in the second housing component or body 909 may be turnedon when the first housing or cap 907 is disengaged from the secondhousing component or body 909. This ensures that sterility is maintainedwithin the treatment chamber and users will be protected from UV lightthat may emit from the first housing component or cap 907.

The sources of UV radiation described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8may be controlled by mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical means,or any other suitable means. In one embodiment, each of the sources ofUV radiation may be powered by one or more batteries or power suppliesdistributed about the first housing component 101, 201 and/or secondhousing component 103, 203. For example, the luer treatment device maybe configured to be powered from a wall outlet and the like.Alternatively, the batteries and/or power supplies may be a separatecomponent attached to at least one of the first housing component 101,201 and second housing component 103, 203. Suitable batteries for usewith the described embodiments include coin cell batteries, N batteries,and the like. Wired connections between the sources of UV radiation andthe batteries may extend from the first housing component 101, 201 tothe second housing component 103, 203. The wired connectors may beenclosed within a cable, such as the flexible cable 221 depicted in FIG.2.

The microcontroller may be configured to detect when a first housingcomponent is engaged with or disengaged from a second housing component,and control the operation of the sources of UV radiation present in thefirst housing component and second housing component based on thedetected information.

The microcontroller can be combined with mechanical switches to controlthe operation of the sources of UV radiation. In one embodiment, amicrocontroller may be located on a first housing component or cap 101,201 of a luer connector treatment device 100, 200. The microcontrollermay be powered by one or more batteries located on a first housingcomponent or cap 101, 201. Alternatively, the one or more batteries maybe located on the second housing component or body 103, 203 of the luerconnector treatment device 100, 200 or a combination of both the firsthousing component and second housing component or a separate thirdhousing component. Alternatively, the microcontroller may be located onthe second housing component or body 103, 203 of the luer connectortreatment device 100, 200. In one embodiment, power may be provided tothe microcontroller, switches, and other electrical components locatedin the first or second housing component of the luer connector treatmentdevice 100, 200 from the one or more batteries by way of one or moreelectrical connections stored in a flexible cable 221.

The microcontroller may receive input from one or more switches. Forexample, in one embodiment, the microcontroller receives input from anoverride switch and a cap/sensor switch. The override switch may togglebetween two settings: a default/off setting and an override/on setting.In the default/off setting, the one or more of the sources of UVradiation may be controlled so as not to emit UV radiation. In theoverride/on setting, the one or more sources of UV radiation may becontrolled so as to emit UV radiation. The override switch may beconfigured to control the operation of the sources of UV radiation inonly the second housing component or body 103, 203, or both the secondhousing component and the first housing component or cap 101, 201. Theoverride switch may be configured to receive input from medicalpersonnel or other users.

The cap/sensor switch may include one or more mechanical elements thatare configured to send one or more signals to the microcontrollerindicating whether the first housing component or cap 101, 201 isengaged with the second housing component or body 103, 203.Alternatively, non-mechanical elements may be used as a part of thecap/sensor switch to indicate whether the first housing component or cap101, 201 is engaged with the second housing component or body 103, 203.In one embodiment, a mechanical element extends along the surface of thesecond housing component that is configured to engage with the firsthousing component. For example, when the first housing component 201 isconfigured to engage with the second housing component 203 in atwist-and-lock mechanism, as is described above, a switch may bepositioned on a hook such that the groove on the first housing componentpushes the switch inwards along the second housing component. Inresponse to the switch being pushed inwards, a signal may be sent to themicrocontroller. In one embodiment, the signal may cause a change in thevoltage that is transmitted to the microcontroller. For example, a firstsignal and associated voltage may be associated with the first housingcomponent or cap 101, 201 being engaged with the second housingcomponent or body 103, 203 and a second signal and associated voltagemay be associated with the first housing component or cap beingdisengaged with the second housing component or body. In one embodiment,the cap/sensor switch may include a photodiode, proximity sensor and thelike.

In one embodiment, the microcontroller, override, and a cap/sensorswitch may work in unison to provide UV radiation to the treatmentchamber. A summary describing how the microcontroller, override, andcap/sensor is in Table 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the overrideswitch sensor has two possible statuses: on or off. The cap/sensorswitch may have two statuses: off, which indicates that the firsthousing component or cap 101, 201 is detached from the second housingcomponent or body 103, 203, and on, which indicates that the firsthousing component or cap 101, 201 is attached to the second housingcomponent or body 103, 203.

In the embodiment described in Table 1, UV radiation may be emitted bythe sources of UV radiation located on the first housing component orcap 101, 201 when the override switch is either in an on or off state,and the cap/sensor switch is in the on state. Notably, while theoverride switch is either in an on or off state, and the cap/sensorswitch is in the on state, UV radiation may not be emitted from thesources of UV radiation located on the second housing component or body103, 203. When the override switch is in an off state, and thecap/sensor switch is in an off state, in one embodiment, the luerconnector treatment device may be configured so that UV radiation may isnot emitted from the first housing component, or cap, 101, 201 and/orthe second housing component or body 103, 203. In the embodimentdescribed in Table 1, when the override switch is in an on state and thecap/sensor switch is in an off state, UV radiation may not be emitted bysources of UV radiation located on the first housing component or cap,while UV radiation is emitted by sources of UV radiation located on thesecond housing component or body.

TABLE 1 State of sources of State of sources of UV radiation UVradiation Override located on the first located on the Switch Cap/Sensorhousing component second housing State Switch State or cap component orbody Off/On On On Off Off Off Off Off On Off Off On

Advantageously, when the microcontroller and related components areconfigured as is described in Table 1, UV radiation is applied to thetreatment chamber by either the first housing component or cap 101, 201,or by the second housing component or body 103, 203. In theconfiguration above, UV radiation is applied by the first housingcomponent or cap 101, 201, when the first housing component or cap 101,201 is attached to the second housing component or body 103, 203.However, when the first housing component or cap 101, 201 is disengagedfrom the second housing component or body 103, 203, the treatmentchamber is treated by UV radiation from the sources of UV radiationlocated within the second housing component or body 103, 203. In thismanner, UV radiation may be applied even when a first housing componentor cap 101, 201 is removed from the second housing component or body103, 203, as is necessary when engaging a second medical device with theluer connector treatment device. Furthermore, in the configuration ofthe microcontroller described in Table 1, all of the sources of UVradiation may be turned off (non-emitting) until the override switch ismoved to an on state. This may be advantageous in the administration ofpharmaceuticals or other medical techniques that are sensitive to UVradiation. For example, chemotherapy medications are known to interactwith UV radiation. Accordingly, having a microcontroller system in whicha medical personnel is required to change the status of the overrideswitch to the on state prior to emitting UV radiation, prevents theinadvertent administration of UV radiation when the first housingcomponent or cap 101, 201 is disengaged from the second housingcomponent of body 103, 203.

In an exemplary embodiment, additional sensors may be used to detectwhen an external medical device is attached to the second housingcomponent or body 103, 203. Input from these additional sensors may beused to determine whether UV radiation should be applied to thetreatment chamber. Suitable sensors include (but are not limited to)photodiodes, proximity sensors, mechanical switches. The sensors mayundergo a voltage change when an external medical device is attached tothe luer connector treatment device. The voltage change may then beconnected to an input pin of the microcontroller, causing themicrocontroller to turn on one or more UV LEDs. For example, a voltagechange detecting the insertion of an external medical device into thesecond housing component or body 103, 203 may trigger themicrocontroller to turn on one or more UV LEDs in the second housingcomponent or body. This function advantageously helps automaticallysterilize external medical devices and their contents to prevent anymicroflora from the environment from being transferred into thetreatment chamber and subsequently the luer connector (i.e. catheterhub) the luer connector treatment device is connected to.

Although electromechanical means for detecting the engagement ordisengagement of the first housing component or cap 101, 201 to thesecond housing component or body 103, 203 are described above, it iscontemplated that alternate means may be used.

The luer connector treatment device may also include an alert componentthat is configured to notify a user of the state of the luer connectortreatment device and/or the sources of UV radiation. For example, in oneembodiment, electrical outputs from the microcontroller may output to aboost converter (optional) routed through LED drivers (optional) andfinally output to one or more UV LEDs. In one embodiment, thesecomponents may be arranged in series. The boost converter may increasethe voltage of the electrical outputs to a sufficient level that causesthe UV LEDs to turn on. The LED drivers may be used to stabilize thecurrent that is input into the UV LEDs. At least one visible wavelengthLED with wavelengths within the range of approximately 390 to 700 nm maybe placed in series, parallel, or both to the at least one UV LED. Thevisible wavelength LEDs may be configured to turn on when themicrocontroller output indicates that UV radiation is being emitted bythe one or more of the sources of UV radiation in the luer connectortreatment device. For example, in one embodiment, microcontrollers thatoutput a high voltage may cause the one or more downstream UV LEDs toturn on, and subsequently the visible wavelength LEDs to turn on.Similarly, when microcontrollers output a low voltage, downstreamvisible wavelength LEDs may be turned off.

In an alternate embodiment, photochromic pigments may be used as a partof the alert component. For example, photochromic pigments that changecolor based on UV radiation intensity may be used to indicate thewavelength of UV radiation emitted by the sources of UV radiation. Insome embodiments, the photochromic pigments may be reversible. Systemsmay also be in place to alert users of the battery life using electricalcomponents or chemical means, such as material containing thermochromicpigments that change color as the battery life decreases leading tochanges in temperature.

Alternatively, a circuit containing photodiodes, transistors and/oramplifiers may be used as a part of the alert component. For example,photodiodes may detect the presence of UV radiation by generating anelectrical current that is used to light an LED and alert a user of theemission of UV radiation. Additionally, the microcontroller may beconfigured to periodically monitor the levels of one or more batteries.Once the battery voltage falls below a certain threshold, themicrocontroller may be configured to cause a visible wavelength LED tolight up to alert users.

In another alternate embodiment, a failure detection circuit may be usedto alert a user of the presence of UV radiation. For example,comparators may be configured to compare the voltage from a UV radiationemitting source to a control voltage emitter. The comparators may outputdifferent voltages indicating the result of the comparison, the outputvoltages being used to illuminate one or more visible wavelength LEDs.It is contemplated that alternate alert components may also be used.

Embodiments of the luer connector treatment device described herein maybe used as an add-on to existing catheters. Alternatively, the describedluer connector treatment device may be integrated into a catheter orother medical device. For example, the luer connector treatment devicemay replace the catheter hub and be permanently attached to a catheter,in which the inner lumen of the male luer connector 213 is partiallyconnected to the the catheter lumen and at least one remaining femaleluer connector 211 may be attached to a secondary medical device.

EXAMPLES

As illustrated in FIG. 9, experiments were conducted to study theefficacy of using UV radiation emitting LEDs to eradicate bacteria onluer connectors used in catheter hubs and the like.

In particular, the first and second housing components of the luerconnector treatment devices were sterilized with 70% ethanol and left toair dry at room temperature in a disengaged state. A bacterialsuspension solution of 0.3 OD Staphylococcus aureus was diluted 100×with tryptic soy broth. To inoculate the second housing components ofthe devices, the second housing components were entirely immersed in thebacterial suspension for three hours. The second housing components werethen removed from the bacterial suspension and left to air dry for 30minutes.

The first housing components were then engaged with their respectivesecond housing components. UV light sources located within the firsthousing components were turned on for a specified duration of time. Thespecified durations of times included 0 (control), 60, 87, 153 and 257seconds.

Data was collected for each sample by dipping a sterile swab in trypticsoy broth and then swabbing the inner lumen of the second housingcomponent (i.e., treatment chamber). The amount of sample collected fromeach swab was controlled by performing a 360 degree motion three timestowards the lower half of the lumen and three times towards the upperhalf of the lumen. Each swab was placed in a separate sterile test tubefilled with 2 mL of tryptic soy broth. The swabs immersed in the brothwere gently shaken for thirty seconds to transfer the bacteria from theswabs into the broth.

The swabs were then removed and the test tubes vortexed at 50% of thehighest setting for one minute. 200 uL was pipetted from the suspensionin each test tube and transferred to an agar plate. The pipettedsuspensions were spread evenly across the agar plates using a glassspreader. The plates were incubated overnight at 37 degrees Celsius forat least 20 hours. The number of colonies that formed on each plate werethen counted.

The average colony forming units (CFUs) found for each plate is shown inFIG. 9. As illustrated, there is a general downwards trend in averageCFUs as UV exposure duration increases. After performing a two-tailed,homoscedastic T-test with a significance level of 0.01, it was foundthat all groups had significantly different CFUs compared to that of thecontrol (no UV exposure). The CFU log reductions from the control groupwere 2.24, 2.35, 3.03, and 3.04 for groups exposed to 60, 87, 153 and257 seconds of UV, respectively.

The results from the experiment suggest that given the geometry of thedevice, bacterial eradication can be achieved. At least a range of 2.24to 3.04 log reduction, or in other words a 99.4% to 99.9% can beachieved using the luer connector treatment device. The amount ofbacterial reduction varies depending on the length of UV exposure.

Particularly, the results simulate a scenario in which all of the innersurfaces of the sterilization device are contaminated at once with 0.3OD of Staphylococcus aureus. In clinical settings, it is expected thatthe bacterial load on the device may be lower, which can potentiallylead to greater bacterial reductions. In addition, the devices testedwere 3D printed with 3D-printing resin. Different materials andmanufacturing methods may affect the results.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particularembodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in lightof this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modificationswithout departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of theclaimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawingsand descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitatecomprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit thescope thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of sterilizing at least one luerconnector comprising: providing a luer connector treatment devicecomprising a first housing component and a second housing component, thesecond housing component having a treatment chamber including at leasttwo luer connectors, wherein the first housing component is reversiblycoupled to the second housing component, wherein at least one of thefirst housing component and second housing component has at least onesource of UV radiation; engaging a first medical device with one of theat least two luer connectors; uncoupling at least a portion of the firsthousing component from the second housing component; engaging a secondmedical device with at least one remaining luer connector of the atleast two luer connectors to form a fluidic channel between the firstmedical device and the second medical device; disengaging the secondmedical device from the at least one remaining luer connector of the atleast two luer connectors; coupling the uncoupled portion of the firsthousing component with the second housing component; and sterilizing thetreatment chamber by applying UV radiation to the treatment chamber byway of the at least one source of UV radiation.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the at least two luer connectors are formed in at least onesurface of the treatment chamber.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theUV radiation is UV-C radiation having a wavelength between about 100nanometers to about 280 nanometers.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe at least one source of UV radiation is configured to emit UVradiation into the treatment chamber along a generally axial length ofthe treatment chamber.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone source of UV radiation is configured to emit UV radiation into thetreatment chamber along an angled direction within the treatmentchamber.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first housing componentis reversibly coupled to the second housing component by attachmentmeans.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one source of UVradiation is a light emitting diode (LED).
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one source of UV radiation is powered by one ormore batteries, each of the one or more batteries disposed within atleast one of the first housing component, the second housing component,and an additional housing component.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinat least one of the first housing component and the second housingcomponent further comprises at least one integrated circuit configuredto: detect when the portion of the first housing component is one ofcoupled or uncoupled with the second housing component.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein at least one of the first housing component and thesecond housing component further comprises at least one integratedcircuit configured to: control operation of at least one of the at leastone source of UV radiation.
 11. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising an override switch configured to at least one of enable anddisable one or more of the at least one source of UV radiation.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of thefirst housing component and the second housing component is composed ofat least one of acrylic material, polycarbonate, polyethylenimine (PEI),polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). 13.The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one luerconnector, the first housing component, and second housing component isat least one of partially transparent, transparent and translucent. 14.The method of claim 1, wherein the first housing component and secondhousing component are manufactured via at least one of injectionmolding, thermoforming, compression molding, and 3D printing.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising an alert component configured tonotify a user of the luer connector treatment device of a status of theat least one source of UV radiation.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising an alert component configured to notify a user of the luerconnector treatment device of the status of at least one batteryconfigured to provide power to the at least one source of UV radiation.17. A method comprising: providing a luer connector treatment deviceincluding a housing component having a treatment chamber including atleast two luer connectors, at least one source of UV radiationconfigured to apply UV radiation to the treatment chamber, and a sealingmechanism coupled to the housing component that reversibly occludes thetreatment chamber from an external environment; engaging a first medicaldevice with one luer connector of the at least two luer connectors;engaging a second medical device with at least one remaining luerconnector of the at least two luer connectors to form a fluidic channelbetween the first medical device and the second medical device;disengaging the second medical device from the at least one remainingluer connector of the at least two luer connectors; and sterilizing thetreatment chamber by applying UV radiation to the treatment chamber byway of the at least one source of UV radiation.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein the sealing mechanism is reversibly coupled to and separatefrom the housing component.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein thesealing mechanism is contained within or on the housing component. 20.The method of claim 17, further comprising emitting UV radiation intothe treatment chamber, by way of the at least one source of UVradiation, when the sealing mechanism occludes or un-occludes thetreatment chamber.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the sealingmechanism is contained within a second housing component.
 22. The methodof claim 21, wherein the second housing component further comprises atleast one source of UV radiation configured to emit UV radiation intothe treatment chamber.
 23. A method of sterilizing at least one luerconnector comprising: providing a luer connector treatment device in afirst state, wherein the luer connector treatment device furthercomprises a housing component including a treatment chamber having afirst section and a second section adjacent to the first section,wherein the first section and the second section of the treatmentchamber are separated by an occluding element in the first state, thetreatment chamber further comprising at least two luer connectors, andthe luer connector treatment device further comprises at least onesource of UV radiation; engaging a first medical device with one of theat least two luer connectors; engaging a second medical device with atleast one remaining luer connector of the at least two luer connectors,wherein engagement of the second medical device with the at least oneremaining luer connector moves at least a portion of the occludingelement into the second section, thereby forming a fluidic channelbetween the first medical device and the second medical device in asecond state of the luer connector treatment device; and sterilizing atleast one luer connector by applying UV radiation to the treatmentchamber by way of the at least one source of UV radiation during atleast one of the first state and the second state.
 24. The method ofclaim 23 further comprising: disengaging a second medical device withthe at least one remaining luer connector of the at least two luerconnectors, wherein disengagement of the second medical device moves atleast a portion of the occluding element into at least one of the firstsection and the second section thereby removing the fluidic channelbetween the first medical device and the second medical device.
 25. Themethod of claim 23, wherein the UV radiation is UV-C radiation having awavelength between about 100 nanometers to about 280 nanometers.
 26. Themethod of claim 23 wherein the UV radiation is applied to the treatmentchamber along an angled direction within the treatment chamber.
 27. Themethod of claim 23 wherein at least a portion of at least one of thetreatment chamber is composed of at least one of acrylic material,polycarbonate, polyethylenimine (PEI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), andpolyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF).